Clear Health Writing Checklist

Before you begin

• Have you defined your target audience?
• Have you defined your purpose and objectives?
• Have you chosen a useful, helpful topic?
• Is your idea original?
• Do you understand your topic thoroughly?
• Have you researched your topic extensively?
• Have you consulted a variety of high-quality sources and experts to enhance your understanding?
• Have you read the full studies (not just the abstracts or press releases)?

Basics

• Have you written in plain English using common, everyday words?
• Are your sentences short and snappy (under 2 lines)?
• Are your words short (aim for 3 syllables or less on average)?
• Are your paragraphs short (max 4-5 lines)?
• Have you clearly defined or removed all medical jargon?
• Is your writing culturally appropriate?

Good writing

• Have you used active verbs?
• Have you used inclusive language – ‘you’ and ‘we’?
• Have you used positive language?
• Is your writing conversational, with contractions?
• Have you broken a few grammar rules?
• Have you included some slang words?
• Have you varied sentence lengths?

Engagement

• Have you told a story or included an anecdote?
• Is your writing entertaining?
• Have you incorporated humour where/if possible?
• Have you asked questions?
• Have you included links to definitions of complex terms?

Readability

• Is your content well formatted?
• Is your font size and type clear and easy to read?
• Is there plenty of white space between paragraphs?
• Have you included clear subheadings?
• Do your subheadings contain your key points?
• Have you included bullet or numbered lists?
• Have you linked out to relevant content?
• Are your links well formatted?
• Have you used bold and italics where appropriate?
• Have you included at least one image?

Relevance

• Is the topic relevant to your target audience?
• Is your tone appropriate for your subject matter?
• Have you addressed your target audience’s pain points, questions or concerns?

Quality control and compliance

• Have you double checked your facts?
• Have you consulted your local marketing and advertising guidelines?
• Is your messaging socially responsible?
• Are your health claims accurate and linked to their original sources?

Overall impression

• Are your key take-home messages memorable?
• Have you given your reader a way to continue their journey after they’ve finished reading?
• Can people with low health literacy skills understand your writing?
• Is your content scannable?
• Have you sent your content to others for feedback?
• Are you satisfied and proud of your final version?